The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-11
THE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION.

Action that Causes Continual Warfare Be-
tween Workmen and Employers.
Philadelphia North American.
The printers unions have inst been enjoying
their customary annual representative conclave,
and as usual the reports which reach the pu bile
lead to the conclusion that these distinguished
Craftsmen find their chief Occupation in deyisne
new means to create a feeling of antagonism
the part of their employers. There may have
been some suggestion of benefits to be extended
by themselves to each other or some considera-
ton of liberality towards those sharing their
labors; but with the exception of the proposition
that women doing the same work should receive
the same pay men-a long delayed bit of
justice that costs the printers not cent, but
a tax which their employers will gladly meet
we lind no evidence OF anything but salfishness.
There was much dissension a treasurer,
whose accounts were alleged to be inaccurate,
but none over the plans intended to divert the
pocket of the printer the savings profits con-
templated and hoped for by employers who have
availed themselves of improved machinery and
labor saving appliances.
The North American speaks from tolerably
ripe knowledge when it says that organize
tion of workmen has ever been more arbitrary
and probably none more shortsighted than the
printers union; for the agltators who control IL
are ever engaged in preventing the harmony of
interest between employer and employed Asa
rule prin ters men above the average intelli-
gence. This is particularly so of compositors
morning newspapers, and it is uncommon
thing for the accidentally ignorantly made
of editorial writer's to be corrected by the
printer who handles the copy. With such class
of men there would naturally be intelligence
of their cwn rights and the rights also of those
by whom they are employed Questions OF
difference, were they left unhindered, would be
settled on the principles of equity and justice.
and there would be at all times community OF
interest. This is no matter of fancy. Inc
North American has enjoyed the experience
Some years ago. being then under the control
of the union, the exactions of that body, grow
ing with what they fed upon, became so
found them intoerable. Others were contented
to submit We found submission and self
respect at the same time impossible. The union
was declared to be a ball OF iron that would
crush us; we prIcked it, and is proved bladder
of wind. All printers will remember, and so
will manv other people. that our course at that
time was, as it ever Is, open, honorable and
above board; and they viii equally recall how
met by contemplate chicanery, which
injured only the perpetrators. The doors or
this Office were never closed to any man because
he was a union prnter-they came and were
welcome so long they behaved themselves;
but the business was conducted on rules not
dictated by outsiders
A couple of years since. after a long period Of
good workmanship, fair understanding and good
wages. not surpassed in either respect by any Of
fee in the city, paying we did the same rates
as the union scale for compositors. this Office,
at the earnest and repeated solicitation of OFF,
ciai representatives of the printers union, bur-
dened with fair promises, consented to renew its
official relations with the organization commonly
called. 1t was generous willingness on our
part to shcw our sympathy with organized labor
and an ex pensive one. Being in the union, and
annointed therefore. with the sacred grace, we
speak to our brethren when caution the union
against making itself a mere vehicle for extor-
ton by incompetent workmen or lazy and unre-
liable tramps
We believe in organized labor and ready
to further every effort of printers, as of other
artisans to protect themselves and each other
from wrong, from imposition and i'll treatment.
So, too. should wish to lend helping hand to
every beneficial and benevolent object for which
workingmen may combine We be-
lieve in fair and liberal wages for good
work. and we think that the interests Of the en-
ploye should never be subordinated to the greed
of the employer And glad to know that
there few of the better class of printers who
wish to demand more than that Indeed q large
and rapidly increasing association of printers
has already been formed with its ramfcations
extending over the whole country, upon the
sound doctrine of reciprocal rights.
1t is organization based upon mutual in
terest, and the employer is not denied share in
it's benefits. It believes that the good workman
should not be forced to support the incom petent
one. It believes that every man should have
the privilege of controlling his own labor. e
believes arbitration to be the certain and only
proper method to settle disputes between work.
men and their employers. and it denies the wis
dom Of strikes. lockouts or boycotts Still it 4
recognizes that there are many advantages to be
derived from association and proper organize
ton. and it provides these for it's members dur
ing life and after DEATH This is the declaration
of principles. and it deserves encouragement,
for it is the common ground on which employer
and employed NAV meet with equal right